Winter Skating at The Bentway

We are opening our skate trail under the Gardiner for fun and safe skating this winter season. The Bentway Skate Trail opens December 18 with registration via Eventbrite available December 12.

We are excited to be able to open our skate trail under the Gardiner for fun and safe skating this winter season. The trail will open on December 18 with a fixed capacity of 25 people. Pre-registration for timed entry will be available via Eventbrite on every Friday at 10am for the week following (except for Christmas Day and New Years Day, which will go out on Saturday, December 26 and Saturday, January 2 respectively).

We know that this winter won’t be easy, and we know how important it will be to find a way to get outside for fitness and recreation. That’s why we are taking all precautions necessary to ensure that the winter skating experience is both safe and fun. Your safety is our priority. We will be adhering to the City and province’s public health guidelines and recommendations.

Furthermore, as we know, this winter will be toughest for the most vulnerable Torontonians. While skating at The Bentway is always free, we’re asking you to help us support those in need by donating a small amount ($5 suggested) to the creation of Winter Care Kits for our community members experiencing poverty and homelessness. Please make your donation when you register on Eventbrite.

Together we can stay safe and have fun!

9 Things to Know About Skating at The Bentway this Year

1. 1. Pre-registration is required.
   2. Bring your own skates. There are no skate rentals available.
   3. Bring ID to verify your identity.
   4. Come dressed for the weather. There will be no access to indoor changing areas.
   5. Wear your mask. Face coverings are required while skating at The Bentway.
   6. Always maintain a safe (2m or 6ft) physical distance from others.
   7. Keep your belongings on you at all times.
   8. Stay home if you are feeling sick, have been out of the country in the last 14 days, or suspect you may have come into contact with COVID-19.
   9. Registration will be made available on a rolling basis. Each Friday at 10am (except for Christmas Day and New Years Day) the timeslots for the next available week will go live. (e.g. Timeslots for the week of December 27-January 2 will go live Friday, December 18)

COVID-19 policies and procedures

Reserve a Spot Online

• Pre-registration is required (6 hour long timeslots per day, with a 30 minute break for cleaning, and a 25 person capacity each). Timeslots are:
  – 12:00-1:00pm
  – 1:30-2:30pm
  – 3:00-4:00pm
  – 4:30-5:30pm
  – 6:00-7:00pm
  – 7:30-8:30pm
• Registrations will be accepted until the day before.
• Registration will be made available on a rolling basis. Each Friday at 10am (except for December 25 and January 1, which will be open in December 26 and January 2 respectively) the timeslots for the next available week will go live.
  – Registration opens December 12 for the week of December 18-26
  – Registration opens Friday, December 18 for the week of December 27-January 2
  – Registration opens Saturday, December 26 for the week of January 3-9
  – Registration opens Saturday, January 2 for the week of January 10-16
  – Registration opens Friday, January 8 for the week of January 17-23
  – Registration opens Friday, January 15 for the week of January 24-31
• You may ONLY register people in your own household (up to 4 people). You can amend your registration via Eventbrite.
• Pre-registration spots will be considered no-shows 10 minutes after the scheduled start time.
• Empty spots will be given to walk-ups on a first come, first served basis.
• Walk up registration is not guaranteed and will only occur if there are empty spots or no-shows. Walk-up registration is completed via QR code and must be scanned with a ‘smart’ device.
• Contact information will be recorded for contact tracing and may be handed over to public health authorities if requested. (This information will only be kept as long as necessary for public health purposes.)

Prepare for your visit

• Bring your own skates. There will be no skate rentals this year.
• Bring your mask. Face coverings are required while skating at The Bentway.
• Bring ID to verify your identity.
• Pack light and keep your belongings on you at all times. Lockers are closed and The Bentway does not take responsibility for lost or stolen items.
• Bring your own snacks and non-alcoholic refreshments. There is no bar or vending machine this year.

Do Not Visit if You Are Feeling Sick

• Stay home if you are feeling sick, have been out of the country in the last 14 days, or suspect you may have come into contact with COVID-19.

Stay Safe While at The Bentway

• Come dressed for the weather. There will be no access to indoor changing areas.
• ONLY skate with those in your household.
• Skate aids will be available on a first come first served basis and will be allocated by household.
• Maintain a safe (2m or 6ft) physical distance from others.
• Wash your hands often or use alcohol based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
• Clean or disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

The Bentway’s Policies & Procedures

• Extensive cleaning and disinfection between each skating timeslot.
• Washrooms are open, but can be used only as intended. (No changing in the washrooms.)
• We are working to keep you safe and healthy, but we cannot guarantee you won’t be exposed to COVID-19. By coming to The Bentway to skate you assume the risk of such exposure.
• We suggest that you download the COVID-19 app, which will notify you directly if you have been in close contact with someone who was contagious with COVID-19.
• As always, The Bentway reserves the right to close the trail for weather, construction, safety, or other reasons.

This is a fast-moving situation and we acknowledge that public health recommendations may change at any time. The Bentway will adapt our policies and procedures if this happens, so please check back here often and monitor our social media channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram)for the most up to date information.

Skate Trail Rules

All visitors to The Bentway Skate Trail are asked to please abide by the following rules of conduct.

1. Always obey the Ice Guards and other staff. Leave the ice surface or any other adjacent area when asked to do so by staff.
2. The Trail is unidirectional; please always skate in the designated direction.
3. Only sharpened single-blade skates are allowed on the ice. Speed skates, bobskates, and double-bladed skates are not permitted.
4. It is highly recommended that all skaters, especially those age 6 and under, wear a helmet approved by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) while on the ice. Please note that bike helmets are not CSA-approved for use on ice surfaces.
5. Children age 10 and under must be actively supervised by a responsible person aged 16 or older.
6. The Skate Trail may only be accessed during approved operating times.
7. No skating is allowed while the ice resurfacing machine is in operation, or when staff have identified unsuitable conditions.
8. The following items and behaviours are not permitted on the Skate Trail:
   • Food and drink
   • Smoking
   • Littering
   • Hockey sticks or any other sticks
   • Sleds, toboggans, chairs, or unapproved skating aids
   • Rough play, racing, multi-player games, loitering or obstruction of skaters, offensive language, excessive noise or abusive behaviour
9. Report all accidents, injuries, and misconduct to staff immediately.

Any person not complying with these Rules will be asked to leave, and may be banned from the ice. Other Rules and Guidelines may apply during special events and workshops.

Thank you for skating safely! Have fun.

Details:

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